Can capping machine



NOVY ZKTT 95 1 I R. J. MULLIGAN CAN CAPPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 8, 1951 4 INVENTOR #42552; /1/1/ .4/4/Y.

ATTQRNEY Nov. 23, 1954 J MULQGAN 2,695,124

CAN CAPPING MACHINE Filed Feb. 8, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Nov. 23, 1954 R. J. MULLIG A N CAN CAPPING MACHINE S Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 8, 1951 lNyENToR fiM/Pf u M1064 ATTORNEY Nov. 23, 1954 R. J. MULLIGAN 2,695,124

- CAN CAPPING MACHINE Filed Feb. 8, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTO R N EY United States Patent 2,6953% Patented Nov. 23, 19 54 CAN CAPPING MACHINE Robert J. Mulligan, New Brunswick, N. J., assignor to Johnson & Johnson, a corporation of New Jersey Application February 8, 1951, Serial No. 210,046

2F Claims. ((11. 226-81) The present invention is directed to a novel can capping machine.

A container of a certain type, employed especially for powder, comprises a square metal can and a square metal cap therefor, with a rotary sifter top, telescoped over the mouth of the can and frictionally retained thereon. It is necessary, in a machine for capping such a can, that the can and cap be aligned not only axially but angularly or rotatively before assembling pressure is applied thereto. Otherwise, the can or cap or both will be injured and delay in operations will result.

One particular objection of the present invention 1s to provide an improved apparatus for accurately locating and aligning a can and a cap of the general type referred to, both axially and rotatively, prior to the application of assembling pressure.

Another and more general object is to provide an improved. can capping machine which is comparatively simple in construction, which operates smoothly and quietly at high speed, and which is substantially proof against destruction of the cans or caps through misalignment prior to assembly.

In carrying out certain features of the present invention, magnetic means are provided for holding the cans and their related caps in approximate aligned position while these container components are moved through the machine. Means are provided for feeding the cans and the caps successively from separate supply l1 nes 1n approximate ali ned position into the field of action of the magnetic means, whereupon said magnetic means take hold. The aligning means are movable With the magnetic cap holding means and are arranged to effect not only axial alignment but also angular or rotative alignment of the cans and caps. The magnetic means permit the cans and caps to slide and rotate easily into the desired alignment. The assembling devices are also movable with the magnetic cap holding means and are so related thereto as to assure the application of assembling pressure to the caps only after the cans and caps have been accurately aligned.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description and from inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved capping machine, showing part of the outer casing for the capping units broken away to reveal one of said capping units;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken through the capping machine, the intake feed mechanism and the discharge mechanism being shown in top plan View;

Figure 3 is a detail section of the intake feed line for the cans and caps taken along line 33 of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic system for operating one of the hydraulic capping units and associated turret drive;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional .view of one of th hydraulic capping units and associated intake feed mechanism taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view, in section, of the lower part of the hydraulic capping unit shown in Fig. 5 and portraying a can and related cap at the instant these components have been fed into the field of action of the magnetic holding devices and in approximate aligned relationship;

Figure 7 is a section similar to that shown in Fig. .6 but at a later phase, when the aligning jig or chuck has closed in on the can and cap to align them axially and rotatively but before the cap presser head has started to move downward towards assembling position;

Figure 8 is a section similar to that of Fig. 7 but at a still later phase, when the cap is beginning to be seated or telescoped over the can;

Figure 9 is a section similar to that of Fig. 8 but at a still later phase, when the cap has been completely seated over the can and just before the aligning jig or chuck has opened up to release the assembled container;

Figure 10 is a section similar to that of Fig. 9 but at the final phase after assembling and after the capping unit has been raised and restored to its original position to release the capped can for discharge;

Figure ll is an elevational view of the aligning jig or chuck shown at the instant portrayed in Fig. 10 when the cgtpping operation has been completed and the chuck ralse Figure 12 is an elevational view of the aligning jig or chuck shown in Fig. 11 but taken at right angles thereto;

Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of the aligning jig or chuck shown in Fig. 11; and

Figure 14 is an elevational view of part of the aligning jig or chuck shown in Fig. 11 but with parts of the chuck operating mechanism removed.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the drawings, the container herein shown is of the type employed especially for powder and comprises a can 10 of square cross-section having an upper lip or rim 11 extending around its mouth above a head 12. The cap 13 has a base 1 of square cross-section corresponding to the crosssection of the can rim 11 and sized to fit thereover with a tight friction fit. Rising from the cap base 14 is a cylindrical. neck 15 of reduced cross-sectional dimensions, and provided with a rotary sifter top 16.

Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 show the can capping machine and intake feed therefor. This machine comprises, generally. a continuously rotating turret table 18 adapted by means of magnet pieces 15 on said table to carry the filled cans ill from a feeding or intake station 24) along a circular path, during which they are capped, and then to a discharge station 21 from which the capped cans are delivered. Travelling continuously with the turret table 18 and disposed thereahove is a plurality of hydraulic capping units 22, twelve being provided in the specific embodiment illustrated, each adapted to position and hold a cap 13 directly over a can 18 on the turret table by means of a magnet piece 2 located in vertical alignment with a corresponding can holding magnet piece 19. The hydraulic capping unit 22 is equipped with an aligning ig or chuck 25 adapted to be lowered over the can in and cap 13 for the alignment of these container elements, both axially and rotatively, while they are travelling together. The capping unit also carries a presser head 26 correlated in operation with said chuck to force the cap onto the can after they have been properly aligned.

It is seen, therefore, that the rotary assembly includes a lower circular series of can holding magnet pieces 19 and the same number of upper cap holding magnet pieces 24, the latter being arranged directly above and in vertical alignment with the lower magnet pieces 19, and that the two series of magnet pieces rotate in unison about the axis of the turret table 18.

The lower can holding magnet pieces 19 are set in the turret table 18 in recesses 38 (Fig. 6), and are in the form of cylindrical plugs, each seated on an insulating plate 31 in its respective recess and surmounted by a metal plate 32 in contact with said plug, so as to be magnetized thereby. The plate 32 is larger in area than the bottom of the can It), so as to cover the entire bottom in can holding position, and sets in a depression 33 in the turret table 18 deep enough to bring the top surface of said plate flush with the top surface of the table.

At the intake station 20, the cans 10 are carried successively by a continuously rotating intake device 35 (Figs. 5 and 6) into the fields of action of the magnetic plates 32 as these plates are moved successively past said station. The cans it are advanced in series by a chute 36 (Fig. 2) into a way 37 (Figs. 1 and 3) leading to a rotary conveyor 38 forming part of the intake device 35 and adapted to pick up each lead can and rotate it into position onto the magnetic plate 32, which at that instant is located alongside of said conveyor. The rotary conveyor 33 takes the form of a pair of like star wheels iii (Figs. and 6) secured on a vertical she t 41, which is driven in synchronism with the turret table in Kr nor to be described. These star wheels :9 are spaced and rotatively aligned to cause a pair of points or lobes 52 thereon to engage the lead can tically spaced sections and carry said can ste dfastly along the circuit of the wheels, while maintaining the can in predetermined rotative position. The star W1 5 4d are designed and located with respect to the path of the magnetic plates 32 to deposit a can on an adj. magnetic plate in approximate central posi and in approximate predetermined rotative po X respect to the turret table As soon as the can 16 is located, the magnet plate 32. holds on to the can a carries it with the turret table 18 around the machine for capping purposes.

At the intake station 2%, not only are the cans is successively by the intake device from the feed on to the respective magnet plates 32 for convey u .c the turret table 13, but moreover the caps :3 are ed tocessively by said device from a feed line, in synch with the cans. For that purpose, over the can way there is a shelf 59 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, f and 6) spaced thereabove to clear the cans it on said way and having side guide plates 51 and 52 secured tl'. reto to define a way 53 for the caps 13. These caps are deposited on the ay 53 by hand or 'hrough a chute or conveyor (not shown) and are advanced therealong in series into the feed of rotary conveyor 54, which is in the form of a star Wheel similar to the can feeding star wheels ii, and which is secured in rotative alignment with said wheels to the same shaft 41.

With the star wheels it? and 5d aligned as d scribed, these star Wheels pick up the lead can lid and the lead cap 13 from their respective teed lines at the same time and carry them while in approximate axial and rotativc alignment along the circular course defined b the rotary movement of these star wheels until they are deposited in this approximate aligned relation in position to be attracted by a pair of opposed magnet elements 32 and 2 respectively, which have moved into proper receiving position at the discharge side of said wheels. The aligned magnet elements 32 and 24 thereupon take hold of the can 19 and cap 13 and carry them together in spaced approximately aligned relation along the circuit of the turret table 18 until the capping unit 22 carrying the magnet element 24 starts its aligning operations. While the magnet elements 32 and retain the can lid and cap 13 in capping relation, they permit any necessary bodily or rotary adjustments thereof under the influence of the aligning jig or chuck 25 on the capping unit 22.

Each capping unit 22 (shown in Fig. 5) performs the operation of accurately centering and aligning opposed can it and cap 13 and of pressing the cap on the can after alignment as the unit and the container elements are carried around by the rotation of the turret. Each of these units 22 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 53 (Fig. 5), with flow connections 55 and 60, secured to the top of an upstanding shell frame 61 affixed by brackets 62 to a turret drum 633, which in turn is secured to the turret table 18 for rotation therewith. A piston rod 64 depending from a piston in the cylinder 58, is secured to a hydraulic ram 65, which latter is in the form of a quill slidable axially in the shell f ame 61 and carrying the principal operating mechanism of the capping unit 22. crossbar 66, extending diametrically of the shell frame 61. and secured thereto, passes through diametrically opposite slots 67 in the ram and serves to hold the ram against rotation while guiding it for vertical movement.

At its lower end, the ram 65 is equipped with the centering jig or chuck 25, bevelled internally at 69 at its lower end for easy entry over the cap 13 and can it This chuck comprises two opposed jaws 7t and 71 (Figs. 6, 11-14) relatively movable laterally towards and from each other and conjointly defining a diagonally split tubular sleeve of square cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the can it) and cap base 14 to be aligned. In the specific form shown, the jaw 7% has a top mounting ring 72, afiixed to a. flange on the lower end of the ram 65 by studs 73, and is in the form of a right angle or L- section with equal sides 74- and 75' depending from said ring and terminating at their side edges in outward flanges 76 and 77, respectively. The jaw 71 is also in the form of a right angle or L.-section with equal sides 78 and 79 terminating at their side edges in outward flanges 8i and 82, respectively. The flanges 77 and 82 on one corner side of the chuck assembly 25 are in face to face relation and substantially parallel to each other except when the jaw 7'1 .5 pivotally moved with respect to the jaw 70 in a manner to be described. The flanges '76 and $1 on the diagonally opposite corner side of the chuck assembly 25 are similarly in face to face relation and substantially parallel to each other except when the jaw 71 is pivotally displaced.

The jaw 7f. is pivotally attached at its upper end to the upper end of the jaw '70 by means of a pair of brackets 35, one secured to the flange 76 of the jaw 76, the other secured to the flange 77 of said jaw 70. Each of said brackets 85 is aflixed to its respective flange on the jaw by studs 86 and has a hinge connection 87 with the corresponding flange 81 or 82 of the other jaw 71.

The jaw '71 is urged towards the jaw 76 by means of springs 33 acting on studs 90 threaded into the flanges 76 and '77 of the jaw 70 and passing loosely through the flanges 81 and 82 of the jaw 71. Two such springs 88 are provided, one acting near the bottom of the chuck assembly 25 against the flange 32 of the jaw 71 and one acting near the bottom of the chuck assembly against the opposite flange 31 of said jaw.

The opening and closing movements of the jaw '71 with respect to the jaw '70 are controlled in a manner later to be described.

The magnet plug (Figs. 6 and 13) is located centrally with respect to the al ing chunk 25 and is carried by prcsser head 26 which is operable to press the cap onto the can ltd after can and cap aligning operations ha 6 been completed. The presser head 26 is located within the chuck 25 and is in the form of a block of approximately sqt .re cro s-section corresponding subst ntially to that of said chu The presser head is urged upwardly towards i e position by a spring 1&0 (Fig. 5) he d in recess N1 in the hydraulic rain 65 and act c collar secured to a rod which latter h a ho lov r end thread d L to a recess 66 in the presscr head. A ange exte sion 1'94 of the cross bar 66 serves as a stop for the collar N2 in the upper movement of the rod it? The spring-loaded rod 163 has a slide bearing fit in the ram. and forms a yieldable lostrnotion connection between the the presser head 2d.

The magnet plug 2&- pa s through a hole 107 (Fig. 6) in the presser head 26 .1 .omruunication with the recess 7 "5, is l rded do srdly oy a light spring 10?; located in the recess and suing between the lower end of the rod 193 and the plug, and is prevented from being completely ejected from the presser head by a head flange Elli seating the base of recess. In fully extended position, the ma net plug projects beyond the lower end of the presse head 2.6, as saown in Fig. 6, and the presser head is formed in its bottom face a cylindrical recess to receive the cylind at can cap neck 15 therein during cap pressing operations. This recess 115 is a little deeper than the height or" the cap neck 15, so that the margin of the presscr head around recess forms a skirt 116 (Figs. 6 and 13) which seats on the base 14 of the cap i3 and bears on said base with capping pressure during assembly operations in the manner shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

The downward capping movement of the presser head during certain phases of operation is effected through the downward movement of the hydraulic ram 64. Towards that out the lower of the ram 65, where it joins into the mounting ring '72 of the chuck 25, defines an axially facing shoulder 5E7 (Figs. 5 and 6) adapted to the upper end of the presser head 26 and force it downwardly during the later stages of the downward movement of the ram To co trol the opening and closing movement of the chuck in phase relation to the reciprocating movement of the hydraulic ram 65, the prcsser head 26 carries at its opposite corner sides a pair of pins 12% (Figs. 11, 13 and 14), one projecting between the opposed flanges 77 and 82 of the chuck jaws 7t? and 71 on one side of the chuck, and the other projecting between the opposed flanges 6 and 81 of the chuck jaws on the opposite side. These pins 129 act to separate the two chuck jaws 7 0 and 71 against the action or the springs 88, while these jaws are being lowered over the cap 13 and can for aligning operation, so as to provide clearance around these container elements during the initial stages of the aligning operation.

To release the jaw 71 from the restraining action of the pins 121) for closing movement about the can 16?- and cap 13 during the final stages of the aligning operation, the flanges 81 and 82 near the upper end of the jaw '71 are each formed with a seat 122 (Fig. 14) to receive these pins. These slots 122 are located to receive the pins 120 at the instant the ram 65 starts to push the presser head 26 downward. As the hydraulic ram 65 travels downward from its uppermost position, the presser head as remains stationary (because of the action of the spring 1 11 on the rod 1113), so that the chuck jaws 7G and 71 slide over the clearance pins 12%, which normally hold said jaws separated, as shown in Fig. 14. During this stage, the jaws 7b and 71 slide freely over the cap 13 and can 10 with clearance. At the instant the shoulder 117 of the hydraulic ram 65 reaches the presser head 26, the slots 122 reach the pins 126, and thereby release the jaw 71 for inward pivotal movement by the springs 83. Such inward movement of the jaws 71 toward the jaw 711 causes the chuck to close upon the cap 13 and can 119 and align them not only axially but rotatively, as shown in Fig. 7 and in dot and dash lines in Fig. 14. During the continued downward movement of the presser head 26, the chuck jaws 7b and 71, being secured to the hydraulic ram 65, also move downward, remaining closed about the cap 13 and can 10 in their now truly aligned position.

When the cap 13, held by the magnet plug 24, reaches the position where it engages the rim 11 of the aligned can 19, the downward movement of said cap is interrupted temporarily due to the resistance offered by the can rim 11, while the presser head 2s continues to de scend. During this operation, the presser head 26 slides over the neck 15 of the cap 13 because of the recess 115 in said head, and the magnet plug 24 is pushed upward against the action of the light spring 1% until the skirt 116 on said presser head reaches the base 1% of the cap 13, as shown in Fig. 8. Continued downward movement of the presser foot 26 now forces the cap 13 over the can rim 11 until the cap is completely seated on the can 111, as shown in Fig. 9.

It is desirable that the assembled container 11), 13 be released from the chuck jaws 7t) and 71 before the hy draulic ram 65 starts its upward or return movement in order that the container will not cling or stick to said jaws and not be carried upward therewith or have its position on the turret table 18 disturbed. It is important that the capped can remain in predetermined position with respect to the turret table 13 to assure its proper pickup at the discharge station 21 (Figs. 1 and 2).

To effect instantaneous release of the assembled container 10, 13 r the end or" the capping operation. the chuck jaw 70 has secured to its flange 76 a yoke 13% (Figs. ll, 12 and 13) forming a guide for a cam rod 1 1 slidable through a U- haped trip 132 afixed to the lower end of the bracket 62 which connects the capping unit 22 to the turret drum 63. The rod 131 has a flat surface 133 riding over a corresponding flat surface in the slide bearing holes of the yoke 13% to prevent said rod from turning, and it also has a cam slot 134 into which extends a follower roller 135 carried by a bearing block 135 secured to the flange $1 of the chuck jaw When the chuck clearance pins 1241 are in their normal or lowermost position between the chuck jaws 7t) and 71, the roller 135 extends into the cam slot 134 of the rod 131 but does not engage the base of said slot because of the separating action of the pins, as shown in Fig. 11. In this position, the chuck 25 is beginning its downward descent and the rod 131 follows the chuck downward by gravity, remaining therewith through the engagement of the upper end of the cam slot 134 with the roller To open the jaw 71 quickly at the lower part of its downward stroke and just before the beginning of its upward stroke, the slide rod 131 carries a collar 13$ (Fig. 11) adapted during the last stages of the descent stroke of the chuck 25 to engage a flange 14 i forming the lower part of the trip 132. This arrests the downward move-- ment of the rod 131, while the chuck 25 continues its descent. The roller 135 then rides downward along the cam slot 134 and causes the jaw 71 to swing outward,

thus quickly releasing the can 10 which has been fully capped. A depression 142 in the rod 131 receives the roller at the end of the down stroke of the chuck and locks the rod and chuck together for upward return move ment in unison, with the chuck in open position.

The rod 131 is long enough to engage a flange 144, which forms an upper part of the trip 132, during the upward movement of the chuck 25 after the capped can has been cleared. This arrests the rod 131 against further upward movement while the chuck 25 continues its upward movement. The roller 135 then rides out of the depression 142 and into the cam slot 134, whereupon the jaw 71 is released and tends to move inwardly towards the jaw 70 under the action of the springs 88. By that time, the slots 122 in the flanges 81 and 82 of the jaw 71 have been moved out of engagement with the clearance pins 120 on the presser head 26, so that the pins in relation to the chuck jaws 70 and 71 are in position to maintain the jaws 71B and 71 in their normal separated condition until the next capping cycle.

As the hydraulic ram 65 moves downward, it forces the presser head 26 down with it. This moves the collar 102 on the rod 103 downward away from the fixed stop 104-. As the open chuck 25 moves upward from the capped can, the presser head 26 moves upward with it for part of the stroke and until the collar 102 on the rod 103 reaches the stop 104. During this phase, the magnet plug 24 is pressing downward against the cap 13 by the action of the spring 108, so that during this phase the magnet plug serves partially as a cap ejector, assisting to prevent the can from being lifted by the rising chuck 25.

After the cans have been fully capped as described, and the capping unit 22 associated therewith has been raised into inoperative position, the cans are moved successively by the turret table 18 past the discharge station 21 (Figs. 1 and 2), while the cans are maintained in predetermined rotative relation with respect to said turret table. At this discharge station 21, a continuously driven discharge device in the form of a rotary conveyor sweeps the capped cans successively from the turret table 18 and delivers them to a receiving station, chute or other delivery point (not shown). This rotary conveyor comprises a pair of similar aligned star wheels 151 secured in spaced superposed relation to a shaft 152 and having lobes or points adapted to engage each capped can at spaced sections therealong and deliver it to a way 153 leading to a delivery point.

The turret table 18, the intake feed device 35, the discharge device 156, and the hydraulic capping units 22 are operated in svnchronism to correlate the steps of feeding, capping and discharging. The synchronisrn may be accomplished in any suitable manner. In Figs. 2 and 4, there is shown diagrammatically for the purpose a turret ring gear 155 driven by a pinion 156 from a motor 157. which desirably is a hydraulic oil motor driven by oil from a pump (not shown) which in turn is operated fr m an electric motor (not shown). The ring gear 155 has a ri id connection with the turret table 18 and the turret drum 63. hich latter in turn carries the cappino units 22 through the brackets 62 (Figs. l-S).

The intake feed device 35 (Fig. 2) and discharge device 15 1 are operated from the turret ring gear 155 throu h a gear 158 which meshes with the ring gear 155 a d carries on its shaft a sprocket 160 for driving said devices through a chain 161 passing over sprockets 162 on the shafts 4-1 and 152, respectively.

The operation and control of the hydraulic system associated with the capping units 22, as these units rotate with the turret table 18, may also be etfected in any desired manner. For example, there may be provided a fixed post 1&5 (Fig. 4) extending centrally through the turret drum 63 and serving as an axle for the turret ring gear 155 and the turret drum. Afiixed to this post 165, near its upper end, is a stationary cam 166; and secured to the turret drum 63 for rotation therewith, is a header 167 for all of the capping units 22 having a universal connection 168 with a fixed pipe 170 leading from a hydraulic pump (not shown), to permit rotation of said header while maintaining inlet flow connection therewith. A four-way valve 171 of well known type for each capping unit 22 is rotatable with the capping unit 22 and communicates with the header 167 through a flow control valve 172 operated 7 from the fixed cam 166 through a follower 173. The valve 172 may be adjusted to control the speed of the hydraulic ram 65 in its reciprocating movements.

The motive liquid, such as oil, is delivered under pressure to the rotatable header 167, distributed to the four-way valve 171 through the valve 172, and admitted to one end of the hydraulic cylinder 58 of the capping unit 22 through either connection 59 or 60, according to the position of the valve 171 as determined by the rotative position of the capping unit. The motive liquid is discharged from the other end of the hydraulic cylinder 58 through the other connection or 60, via the four-way valve E71, and by means of a cc-ncction a 5 to a sump tank (not shown). This can." s the hydrauzic ram 65 associated with the hydraulic cylinder in operation to move upward or downward according to the cam controlled setting of the four-way valve 171. When the capping unit 22 reaches a predetermined rotative position, the four-way valve 171 is again operated to reverse the flow through the cylinder connections 5? and 6 and to reverse the movement of the hydraulic ram 65 accordingly.

Operation Although the operation of the apparatus will have been understood from the foregoing description, a brief recapitulation may be helpful.

The turret table 18 is rotating continuously, the twelve capping units 22 are rotating with it, and the intake and discharge devices and 150 are operating in synchronism with the turret table. The filled cans 1t and the caps 13 are transferred by the intake device 35 from their respective feed lines to the turret table 18, with each cap supported above its corresponding can in approximately aligned relation. As a can i6 and a corresponding cap 13 reach the turret table rs, one of the magnetized plates 32 on the turret table 18 and a corresponding magnet plug 24 above it on a capping unit 22 arrive in position adjacent to the intake station 26 to receive the can and cap and to hold them in such aligned relation and in predetermined rotative position with respect to the turret table 13, until they are exactly aligned later by the aligning chuck 25. In this initial receiving position, the hydraulic ram on said capping unit is in its uppermost position, the chuck 25 is raised above the can 10 and the pivoted chuck jaw 71 is separated from the opposed chuck by the clearance pins 12% as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 10. When the can 10 and the cap 13 are carried to a predetermined position by the turret assembly, the valve 171 (Fig. 4) controlling the hydraulic cylinder 58 of the capping unit is operated to reverse flow through said cylinder. This causes the hydraulic ram 65 and the chuck 25 to move downward in unison, while the presser head 26 remains momentarily stationary, until the shoulder 1117 of the ram engages the top of the presser head in the position shown in Fig. 7. During this movement, the descending chuck 25, which is open only to the extent permitted by the clearance pins 120, passes over the cap 13 and the upper section of the can 10. At the instant the ram shoulder llll reaches the presser head 26, the clearance pins reach the slots 122 in the flanges 31 and 32 of the chuck jaw 71, causing said jaw to move inwardly about its pivotal support 87 towards the relatively fixed chuck jaw 70, as shown in Fig. 7 and in dot and dash lines in Fig. 14. This causes the can 10 and the cap 13 to be aligned accurately not only axially but rotatively, so that the base 14 of the cap is in exact registry with the rim 11 of the can.

Upon further downward movement of the hydraulic ram 65, the presser head 26 through the shoulder 117 on said ram begins to move downward with the ram, thereby moving downward the accurately aligned cap 13 held by the magnet plug 2 4- until the lower edge of the base M of the cap reaches the upper edge of the rim ll of the can. In this osition, the cap is stopped temporarily by the resis offered by the rim ll. of the can.- After that, as the presser head 26 continues to move downward, the skirt 116 on the presser head is hooded over the neck 15 of the cap 23, until said skirt reaches the base 14- or" the cap, as shown in Fig. 8. Continued downward movement of the presser head 26 now presses the cap 13 onto the rim iii of the can, until the lower edge of said cap is seated on the head 12 of the can, as shown in Fig. 9. Just at that instant, when the assembly operation has been completed, the roller (Fig. 11) carried by the chuck jaw 71 rides out of the cam slot 134- in the rod 131, which latter has been arrested during downward movement of the chuck by the engagement of its collar 138 with the lower flange on the trip 132. This action of the roller 135 instantly moves the pivoted chuck jaw 71 away from the relatively fixed chuck jaw "ill into the dot and dash line position shown in Fig. 9 and releases the assembled container from the restraining influence of the chuck 25. At that instant, the how into the hydraulic cylinder 58 is reversed through the cam controlled operation of the tour-way valve 1.71 (Fig. 4) and the hydraulic ram 65 starts to move upward. Such upward movement is continued until the chuck jaws 7G and 71 have been raised clear or the assembled container, as shown in Fig. 10. During this raising operation, the rod 131 moves upward with the chuck jaw '71, because of the seating of 1- roller 135 carried by said jaw in the locking depresl-Z in. said rod, until the rod is stopped by the trip in the position shown in Fig. 11. The roller 135 then rides out of the locking depression 142 into the cam of the rod 133. and releases the jaw 71 for pivotal movement inwardly towards the jaw 7%. However, by that me, the slots 122 in the flanges 81 and S2 of the chuck aw 71 have moved out of engaging pos ion. with the clearance pins i2il, so that the extent to .vhich the jaw 71 moves towards the jaw '76 is limited by these pins. The necessary clearance is thereby mainbetween the chuck jaws 7G and 71 to permit said ws to pass freely over a cap 13 and a can it) during the next aligning operation of the chuck, irrespective of any ht misalignment axially or rotatively of these cont oer elements.

Alter assembly, the capped can continues to be held by the magnetized plate 32 to the turret table 18, until ches the discharge device 150, which delivers to 1 the machine. ugh the invention has been shown as applied to e cross-section, as far as certain on are concerned the invention is crs of other rectangular cross-seclvloreover, certain features of the invenaiso applicable to containers of any other shape '7 g hose of circular cross-section.

the invention has been described with particuence to a specific embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited thereto, but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by the scope of the 55) a; ended claims.

rat is claimed is:

l. In or for a can capping machine, a capping unit comprising, in combination, a hydraulically operated ram, a cap holder mounted on the lower end of the ram and which locates the cap in approximate alignment with the can to be capped, a sectional chuck also mounted on the ram and which encompasses the cap holder, a presser head likewise mounted on the ram and also encompassed A by the chuck, and means controlled by the downward movement of the ram for first operating the chuck with reference to the cap holder and presser head to effect the accurate alignment of the cap with the can, and then for operating the presser head with reference to the chuck to apply the cap to the can.

2. A capping unit as defined in claim 1, including means also operated by the downward movement of the ram for opening the chuck to release the capped can before the return stroke of the ram.

3. In or for a can capping machine, a capping unit comprising, in combination, an upright ram, a magnet supported at the lower end of said ram and adapted to hold a cap, an aligning chuck in the form of a sectionalized tubular sleeve carried by said ram at the lower end thereof and having its sections supported for relative movement towards each other into closed position for can and cap aligning operations, said sleeve extending around said magnet and being movable as a unit in vertical direction over said magnet to encompass the cap held thereby and a can positioned below said cap, and means rendered operable by the vertical movement of the ram for closing the sections of said chuck about the encompassed can and cap to etfect their accurate alignment.

4. In a can capping machine, the combination as deaaia i 9 fined in claim 3, wherein the sleeve is split longitudinally into two opposed jaw sections, one of said sections being supported for pivotal movement with respect to the other jaw section.

5. In a can capping machine, the combination as defined in claim 3, wherein the sleeve has an internal rectangular cross-section to conformably embrace a can and the base of a cap corresponding cross-section, said sleeve being split longitudinally into two opposed angular jaw sections, one of said sections being mounted for movement towards and away from the other jaw section.

6. In a can capping machine, a capping unit comprising, in combination, a ram, a presser head at one end of said ram adapted to press a cap onto a can, a magnet carried by said presser head for holding the cap adjacent to said presser head, a can and cap aligning chuck having relatively movable sections mounted on said ram around said presser head and movable axially along said head and magnet into a position enshrouding said can, means operable when the chuck is in said position to effect movement of said sections to align the can and cap, and means for moving said sections to release the can cap after the can capping operation.

7. In or for a can capping machine, a capping unit comprising, in combination, a ram, a presser head at one end of said ram adapted to press a cap provided with a neck and a base onto a can aligned therewith and having a recess for receiving the neck of the cap during capping, said recess defining a skirt on the presser head adapted to engage the cap base during capping, a magnet slidable in said presser head for holding the cap adjacent to said presser head, spring means urging said magnet outward to hold the cap with its neck out of said recess, said presser head being operable to force the cap held by the magnet in its outward position towards the can, as said ram is moved in one direction, until the cap starts to seat on the can, whereupon continued movement of the presser head causes the cap neck to recede into the recess against the action of the spring sufliciently to permit the skirt or" the presser head to reach the base of the cap and thereby to press said base telescopically over the rim of the can.

8. in a machine for capping cans of rectangular crosssection, the combination of a turret table, devices on said table for holding cans in upright position thereon around the axis of said table, and overlying capping units corresponding in number to said holding devices and supported for rotation with said table, each or" said units comprising a vertical ram, means at the lower end or said ram for holding a cap, a can and cap aligning chuck at the lower end of said ram encompassing said presser head, means for lowering the chuck over the cap and corresponding can at a predetermined phase of movement of the turret table and for operating said chuck to align said cap and can axially and rotatively, and means operable at a later phase of movement of the turret table for lowering said presser head to apply the cap to the can.

9. In or for a can capping machine, a capping unit comprising, in combination, a ram, 21 pair of opposed aligning chuck jaws conjointly defining a tubular sleeve longitudinally split and adapted to be slipped over an approximately aligned cap and can, means rigidly securing one of said jaws to the ram, and means mounting the other jaw for movement with said ram and for pivotal movement towards and away from the other jaw.

10. A capping unit as defined in claim 9, wherein the movable jaw is pivotally secured to the rigid jaw near the end opposite the can entry end.

11. in or for a can capping machine, a capping unit comprising, in combination, a ram, a pair of opposed angular jaws conjointly defining a tubular sleeve of rectangular internal cross-section conforming approximately to the cross-section of a can, means mounting said jaws on one end of said ram for relative movement towards and away from each other, said ram in its movement in one direction causing said jaws to be slipped over a cap and a can arranged in approximately aligned relatiori ship, means for moving said jaws relatively apart to permit said jaws to be slipped over the cap and can, means operable when said jaws have been slipped over the cap and can to close said jaws about the cap and can to cause them to be accurately aligned axially and rotatively, and means for releasing said jaws from the aligned cap and can.

12. A capping unit as defined in claim 11, wherein the means for releasing the jaws from the aligned cap and can comprises means for instantly moving the jaws relatively apart prior to the return movement of the ram in the opposite direction, to prevent the capped can from being moved with said ram in said opposite direction.

13. In or for a can capping machine, a capping unit comprising, in combination, a ram, a pair of opposed aligning chuck jaws conjointly defining a tubular sleeve split longitudinally and adapted to be slipped over approximately aligned cap and can, means mounting said jaws on the ram for movement therewith longitudinally and for relative movement towards and away from each other, spring means urging said jaws relatively towards each other, means for separating said jaws against the action of said spring means to permit their entry with clearance over the cap and can, and means for rendering said separating means inactive after said jaws have been moved over the cap and the can to cause said jaws to close around the cap and can under the action of said spring means to etlfect the alignment of cap and can prior to the actual capping of the can.

14. In or for a can capping machine, a capping unit comprising, in combination, a ram, a pair of opposed aligning chuck jaws conjointly defining a tubular sleeve split longitudinally and adapted to he slipped over approximately aligned cap and can, means mounting said jaws on the ram for movement therewith longitudinally and for relative movement towards and away from each other, spring means urging said jaws relatively towards each other, means for separating said jaws against the action of said spring means to permit their entry with clearance over the cap and can, and means for rendering said separating means inactive after said jaws have been moved over the cap and the can to cause said jaws to close around the cap and can under the action of said spring means to effect alignment of cap and can prior to actual capping of the can, and means independently of said last mentioned means for moving said jaws relatively and quickly into open position after the can has been capped and before the jaws begin to be withdrawn from the aligned cap and can.

15. A capping unit as defined in claim 13, wherein the means for separating the jaws comprises a clearance pin between opposed edges of the jaws supported for movement with respect to said jaws along said edges as said jaws are moved over the cap and can, the means for rendering the jaw separating means inactive comprising a slot in the edge of one of the jaws adapted to receive the pin when the jaws have reached a position near the end of their movement over the cap and can and permitting said jaws thereby to close about the cap and can under the action of the spring means.

16. or for a can capping machine, a capping unit comprising, in combination, a ram, 21 sectionalized chuck operable into open or closed position for accurately aligning a cap and a can which have been prelocated in approximate alignment and mounted on said ram for movement as a unit therewith and for opening and closing movement of its sections, spring means pressing the sections of the chuck into closed position, a presser head for the cap inside said chuck, means connecting said presser head to said ram with a yieldable lost-motion connection which holds said presser head stationary during the initial movement of the ram towards the can and joins said ram and said head for positive travel together durin the subsequent movement of the ram toward the can, means for maintaining said chuck open against the action of said spring means during the initial movement of the ram towards the can to permit said chuck to pass easily over the cap and can with clearance, means operable when the ram reaches the position in which the ram and the presser head start to move together towards the can for releasing said chuck to permit it to close about the cap and can by the action of said spring means and to align them accurately thereby, and means for opening said chuck against the action of said spring means prior to return movement of said ram.

17. A capping unit as defined in claim 16, wherein the chuck comprises a pair of opposed jaws defining a tubular sleeve split longitudinally, one of said jaws being mounted for movement towards and away from the other jaw into closed and opened position, the means which maintain the chuck open against the action of the spring means comprising a pin secured to the presser head and extending between opposed longitudinal edges of the jaws to separate said jaws, and the means which release the chuck for closing about the cap and the can comprising a slot on one of said edges on the movable jaw movable into pin receiving position when said slot has moved opposite said pin during the downward movement of said jaws.

18. A capping unit as defined in claim 16, wherein the chuck comprises a pair of opposed jaws defining a tubular sleeve split longitudinally, one of said jaws being mounted for movement towards and away from the other jaw into closed and opened position, the means for opening the chuck against the action of the spring means prior to return movement of the ram comprising a rod alongside of said other jaw slidable endwise with respect thereto and having a cam slot, a follower roller on the movable jaw engagin said rod, releasable means for locking said rod to said other jaw for endwise movement therewith, and trip means for holding said rod against endwise movement while said jaws are moving with the ram during certain phases of the movements of the ram in opposite directions for moving said cam slot in and out of engagement with said follower roller.

19. A can capping machine comprising a can support and an overlying movable capping head having a cap support, said can and cap supports being adapted to receive between them open can and a cap therefor spaced vertically apart and with the cap in approximate alignment with the opening of the can, a chuck having a plurality of sections relatively movable from a normal position to an active position encompassing both can and cap to ettect accurate alignment thereof, a presser member carried by the capping head and operable to press the cap on the can, said head being movable in one direction to operate the presser head and in the re verse direction to restore the presser head to normal position, means operable by movement of the head in said initial direction to move the chuck sections to effect accurate alignment of the cap and can, and means for restoring the chuck sections to their normal relative position after movement of the presser member to effect cap and. can engagement.

2i). A can capping hine according to claim 19 wherein the chuck is carried by the capping head with the presser member movable relatively thereto, and wherein the means for moving the chuck sections to active position to align the cap and can is triggered for operation by relative moven'rent between the chuck and presser member.

21. A capping machine according to claim 19 wherein the means for restoring the chuck sections back to normal position are operated by the movement of the capping head.

22. A capping machine according to claim 19 wherein the chuck sections are pivotally connected at the top and swingable toward each other to sheet alignment of the cap and can and away from each other back to normal position.

23. A capping machine according to claim 19 wherein the chuck is carried by the capping head and wherein the presser head is movable within the confines of the chuck.

24. A capping machine according to claim 19 wherein the chuck is carried by the capping head and the presser head is movable within the confines of the chuck, and wherein means are provided on the presser head to trigger the operation of the chuck to cap and can aligning position.

25. A capping machine according to claim 19 wherein the chuck is carried by the capping head and the presser head is movable within the confines of the chuck, and wherein the chuck also is equipped with means operable at the end of the capping head movement in one direction to restore the chuck sections to normal position and for holding the chuck sections in such position until relative movement of the presser head with the chuck upon the return movement of the capping head acts to reset a trigger device for retaining said sections of the chuck in their normal position.

26. in a can capping machine, the combination of means for holding a can in upright position, means for holding a cap in position superimposed above the can and in approximate alignment therewith, means distinct from both said holding means and common to the cap and cap for rotatably adjusting the can and cap relatively to eitect accurate angularalignment of the can and cap, and means operable after alignment for applying the cap to the can.

27. In a can capping machine, the combination according to claim 26 wherein at least one of said holding means is magnetically operated.

28. in a can capping machine, the combination of means for holding a can in upright position, means for holding a cap above the can and in approximate alignment with the can, means comprising a chuck with expandable sections adapted to enshroud both can and cap, means for eliecting relative movement between the expandable sections of the chuck to embrace both the can and cap and thereby eit'ect relative rotation between the can and cap to effect their accurate angular alignment and means operable after alignment for applying the cap to the can.

29. In a machine for capping cans of rectangular crosssection with caps of substantially the same cross-section, the combination of means for holding a can in upright position, means for holding a cap above the can and in approximate alignment therewith, means shaped to conform to said cans and caps of rectangular cross-section for rotatably adjusting them relatively to their respective holding means to effect their accurate angular alignment, and means operable after alignment for applying the cap to the can.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,511,966 Hewit Oct. 14, 1924 1,761,488 ONeil June 3, 1930 2,047,423 Mallory July 14, 1936 2,094,256 Jonsson Sept. 28, 1937 2,101,291 Price Dec. 7, 1937 2,28 ,740 Huston June 2, 1942 2,335,239 Gladfelter et al. Nov. 30, 1943 2,510,568 Fouse June 6, 1950 2,647,672 Burnell Aug. 4, 1953 

